Cambuslang will honour those who gave all

Facebook group celebrating success of World War I commemoration campaign

Rachel Lauder, pictured with a replica of the VC won by her grandfather, David Lauder during World War I, says she would love to see some sort of memorial at Cambuslang terminus (Photo: rutherglen reformer)

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A Cambuslang Facebook group have been successful in their bid to have the 100th anniversary of World War I commemorated in central Cambuslang.

The All About Cambuslang group had been lobbying the council to get poppies planted at the terminus on Hamilton Road in time for August, which marks 100 years since the conflict started.

While it is too late for poppies to grow for this year, South Lanarkshire Council have agreed to let red lilies be planted on the site, with the possibility of small wooden crosses spelling out “1914-1918” to follow.

The decision was taken after a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) between Councillor Pam Clearie and Head of Facilities, Waste and Ground Services, Stephen Kelly.

Mr Kelly has also confirmed to the Reformer that a poppy planting project will take place at the war memorial in Cambuslang Park.

The proposal has been widely supported by members of the Facebook page, as well as ex-servicemen from the town.

It also gained the backing of Rachel Lauder, whose grandfather, David Ross Lauder was awarded the Victoria Cross during the conflict.

Stephen Kelly was unable to confirm details of what would happen, but said: “Agreement has been reached to further investigate the possibility of what we can achieve at this site.”

Last week, he told the Reformer: “We haven’t yet received written communication from the Cambuslang Facebook Group, however, we are currently undertaking a poppy field initiative by planting poppy seed and poppy plant plugs around War Memorials in Cambuslang Park, Bothwell Road Park, Hamilton, Lesmahagow and East Kilbride.

“If Cambuslang Facebook Group would like to plant their poppy seeds together with the ones we have put down at the Cambuslang War Memorial in Cambuslang Park then we would be delighted for them to do so.”

Alex Black, who runs the Facebook page, said: “It’s something to mark the anniversary and maybe it’s fitting we can build it up over the next four years. “I’m keen to see if the local schools would get involved, it’s important this is passed on to another generation.”

Councillor Pam Clearie added: “I am delighted.

“If we can have something to recognise the War I would be very happy. It will pay respect to those people from Cambuslang who gave their lives.”